(A psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “A Deer at Dawn.”)Suffering and Praise221My God, my God, why have youdeserted me?Why are you so far away?Won't you listen to my groansand come to my rescue?2I cry out day and night,but you don't answer,and I can never rest.3Yet you are the holy God,ruling from your throneand praised by Israel.4 Our ancestors trusted you,and you rescued them.5When they cried out for help,you saved them,and you did not let them downwhen they depended on you.6But I am merely a worm,far less than human,and I am hated and rejectedby people everywhere.7 Everyone who sees memakes fun and sneers.They shake their heads,8 and say, “Trust the LORD!If you are his favorite,let him protect youand keep you safe.”9You, LORD, brought mesafely through birth,and you protected mewhen I was a babyat my mother's breast.10From the day I was born,I have been in your care,and from the time of my birth,you have been my God.11Don't stay far offwhen I am in troublewith no one to help me.12Enemies are all aroundlike a herd of wild bulls.Powerful bulls from Bashan[Z]Bashan: A land east of the Jordan River, where there were pastures suitable for raising fine cattle.are everywhere.13My enemies are like lionsroaring and attackingwith jaws open wide.14I have no more strengththan a few drops of water.All my bones are out of joint;my heart is like melted wax.15My strength has dried uplike a broken clay pot,and my tongue sticksto the roof of my mouth.You, God, have left meto die in the dirt.16Brutal enemies attack melike a pack of dogs,tearing at[A]tearing at: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. my handsand my feet.17I can count all my bones,and my enemies just stareand sneer at me.18 They took my clothesand gambled for them.19Don't stay far away, LORD!My strength comes from you,so hurry and help.20Rescue me from enemy swordsand save me from those dogs.21Don't let lions eat me.You rescued me from the hornsof wild bulls,22 and when your people meet,I will praise you, LORD.23All who worship the LORD,now praise him!You belong to Jacob's familyand to the people of Israel,so fear and honor the LORD!24The LORD doesn't hateor despise the helplessin all of their troubles.When I cried out, he listenedand did not turn away.25When your people meet,you will fill my heartwith your praises, LORD,and everyone will see mekeep my promises to you.26The poor will eat and be full,and all who worship youwill be thankfuland live in hope.27Everyone on this earthwill remember you, LORD.People all over the worldwill turn and worship you,28because you are in control,the ruler of all nations.29All who are richand have more than enoughwill bow down to you, Lord.Even those who are dyingand almost in the gravewill come and bow down.30In the future, everyonewill worship and learnabout you, our Lord.31People not yet bornwill be told,“The Lord has saved us!”